There are a number of theories as to how Houston can correct their problem. The issues may work themselves out once Brad Davis and Boniek Garcia get right. Some would suggest adding a more attacking presence to a midfield currently occupied by Ricardo Clark and Adam Moffat. Other smight hope for Will Bruin’s return to form, while a true Chicken Little may need all three.

There is another possible solution, one that returned to practice today. Calen Carr, injured in last year’s MLS Cup final, has resumed training as part of his recovery from knee surgery. While there is no set date for his full return (he only participated in non-contact activity today), Wednesday marked a big step for a player who hasn’t seen action since early December.

Carr, from the league’s web site:

“It’s just nice to come outside at the same time as the guys … I think I definitely need a couple of more weeks to work on my physicality as far as fitness and strength … and then integrate into full training. From there, I hope will be another couple of weeks to get in the groove to be available for selection.”

Carr on his own is not an answer to Houston’s attacking problems, but slid into a team that needs some energy, he may end up being the perfect fit. While Giles Barnes may be the overall more talented player, Carr’s versatility and willingness to do the legwork both in defense and attack provide a nice complement to Bruin. Barnes, who has four goals, two assists in 1352 career regular season minutes, has produced smilar numbers, though he’s been unable to help pull Dominic Kinnear’s team out of their slump.

By the time Carr’s ready to return, Davis and Garcia may be back to pull strength. And once Will Bruin returns from the Gold Cup, Houston will have last year’s MLS Cup finalist XI in place.

That should be enough to claim at least a fifth place finish, and as the Dynamo showed last year, all they need is MLS’s proverbial chip and a chair to have a chance.

Never mind all that: Harry Kane was healthy, and scored three goals as Spurs kept pace with group mates Real Madrid in filing a 3-0 win at APOEL Nicosia in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Kane said he was very proud of the side’s performance, as youngster Anthony Georgiou and seldom-used Georges-Kevin N’Koudou put in shifts in the win. From the BBC:

“We weren’t pleased with the first-half and a couple of chances could have gone the other way. We were more clinical and in the Champions League that is what you have got to be.

“We are missing a few players but the lads who stepped in were fantastic. We have a solid squad and you have to be ready. 3-0 away in the Champions League no matter who you play is a good result.”

Kane has 11 goals in September between club and country, and has six hat tricks in 2017. There may not be a finer big striker firing in Europe right now, and both England and Spurs will hope to ride him well into 2018.

A point from far from home is not the end of the world, but Liverpool will rue its missed chances in a 1-1 draw at Spartak Moscow in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Goalkeeper Artyom Rebrov had a stellar day for Spartak before being injured and then replaced by Aleksandr Selikhov, who was also strong for the Russians.

Fernando (not that one) scored a free kick for Spartak, while Philippe Coutinho bagged the equalizer that keeps the Reds ahead of Spartak on goal difference. Both sides are three points behind Sevilla.

Hugo Lloris flubbed an early clearance and was fortunate to see the back-bounding ball dribble wide of his left post.

Carlao could’ve given APOEL a surprise lead close to halftime but headed wide of the net from within 10 yards.

Kane nearly added an assist to his ledger at the start of the second half, but Son Heung-min just missed his effort wide of the frame.

He scored another goal anyway, and another one. Moussa Sissoko set Kane up for the second of the night, a relatively simple finish for the striker, and Kane completed his trio of goals when he headed Kieran Trippier‘s cross home.